Welcome to another edition of Pope’s Spoken Word{s}. Vol. 11 had some very interesting questions, and mutli-numbered questions. For those who asked 5 or 6 questions in one sentence, know that I will try to answer them, but if it's too many questions, Pope will choose the best questions out of the bunch to answer. If Pope can’t get to them all, keep those questions coming because there are more PSW’s in the near and distant future. So if you have a burning desire to ask THAT question, then feel free to do so at TheElijahExpress.com/forum for future Q&A’s during PSW’s.
Ready or Not, Pope Must COME!
VICTORY ROAD, July 11th Pope has his utmost task to date: facing off against arguably the greatest living wrestling machine alive, Kurt Angle. While it’s true, Pope is NOT 100% yet, I must answer the call of Kurt Angle, but most importantly return and assume to take charge, obligation, and responsibility to lead The Congregation to bigger heights not yet witnessed, because Pope is Greater! Speaking of Greater, Pope must send a shout out to THE CONGREGATION all over the world. Pope can’t say THANK YOU enough. The response to Pope’s return has been nothing short of amazing! I’m truly honored and humbled by your remarks, emails, comments, etc. Being back in the iMPACT ZONE after suffering the worst injury of my career, then to walk out there and receive the reception that Pope got…man, it was just overwhelming. I want to assure you that I will do all in my power not to disappoint you and to rise back to the top of the rankings as quick as possible to make history and become the first
AFRICAN AMERICAN TNA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!
Now on to the Questions and Answers portion of Pope’s Spoken Word{s} Vol.12
Q: Your holiness, What do you think about the nWo like invasion of "The Nexus" group (a group of recently up and coming guys from developmental) beating up superstars, announcers, referee's, legends etc.- Undertaker getting injured so they make a storyline of Kane finding him in a vegetative state and eventually going off to seek revenge on whoever attacked The Undertaker (later finding out it was him), and finally if you could personally go to TNA management and hire 3 superstars (and/or diva{s}) from WWE, Ring of Honor or the indys) who would those 3 be? Thanks Pope! Glad to see your back.
A: Pope does not watch WWE Programming on a regular basis, and has maybe caught NXT once or twice during its 1st season which was because I was in a hotel flipping channels. As for Undertaker/Kane storyline you mentioned, has that happened? There are a lot of amazing unsigned talent out there right now, some friends, and some aren’t, but I think (in no order) Ken Doane, Kenny King, and bringing back Christopher Daniels would all be good choices.
Q: Yo Pope, I remember when you and what's his name formed the New Breed group in WWE's ECW. I feel your guys match against the ECW Originals was a Hell of a Match in my eyes Would you agree?
A: Wrestlemania 23 was a solid match, especially for the little amount of time we had, but the live Tuesday ECW that followed was probably one of my Top 5 favorite matches from my time with WWE.
Q: Pope, Who would you say growing up were your favorite wrestlers and who most inspired you?
A: Dusty Rhodes and Ric Flair.
Q: I mean lets be honest, wrestling is a very "white" industry where people of color tend to hit a certain ceiling but never get any higher. Do you think its because not that creative management are racist or prejudice, but they just dont know how to write minority characters to appeal to a white audience? but the thing is i always thought is why not let those minority wrestlers (black for example) just make up their own gimmicks like your black pope persona for example, there are after all loads of white fans who do enjoy other cultures in their daily lives. so my question really is do you think minority wrestlers (like yourself) have to work twice as hard and be as nice to as many people backstage just to get a fair shot in the wrestling business?
A: Well, that’s a tough one. As you can see by the previous question, both that inspired me were white men, and one who thought he was black. While I do have my own personal views about this, I will point out some negatives and some positives. I’m neutral when you say, “Wrestling is a very ‘white’ industry”……But so was the Presidency of The United States. There are more blacks involved in wrestling now than ever. Do blacks have to work twice as hard or join a “kiss someone’s @ss club?” Well, don’t know bout the club issue, but working twice as hard is something that ALL involved should be doing anyways, in this business or life in general. There have been many black wrestlers that were stars and have made a good living by wrestling, and will or have all ready gone down in the history books as some of the all time greats, ie: “Big Cat” Ernie Ladd, Bobo Brazil, Ron Simmons, Booker T and JYD to name a few.
The best characters are generally those that are extensions of one’s personality, with some exceptions such as Undertaker or Kane. I do believe that there are too many times where those in charge have had “black wrestlers” portray a certain concept/stereotype of blacks, and assume that it’s “Entertainment.” While YES, it is entertainment, for some reason when wrestlers are seen outside of TV, they are in the mind of many, the same individual that they have just watched on TV. For example, versus someone like Johnny Depp, who if spotted will be seen as the “movie star” Johnny Depp and not “The Mad Hatter” after watching Alice In Wonderland.
I believe it’s because of such stereotypes that more blacks seek not to be in such business because of the lack of positive roles blacks portray in wrestling. While there is an argument that can be made about other companies not believing that a black wrestler can be the face of their company, Pope looks to change that; and with all due credit to TNA, color has NEVER been an issue. TNA took an unknown Monty Brown and made him star, and when Pope came in, TNA simply said:
“Pope, Do Your Thang!”
Thanks for all the questions….If yours was not selected this time, it may be selected in the future.
Until next time:
"If you can't CHANGE the people around you, then change the people AROUND you!"
~ PHS
Tue, 07/06/2010 - 11:00pm | 
Elijah
Pope... u are always inspiring and keeping people lifted so wanted to drop a note to say that Im rootin for you to become the FIRST African American Champion and not only that... one of the most memorable of all time! Kill it brotha!!
Thanks alot brotha!~PHS
thanks for answering my question! (the last one) some great points in made, love ur promos and in ring skills, u are the final package!
Final Package? Wow. Thanks~PHS
Hey there brother! Your 80% is alot better than most 100%! Look forward to see you make history!
Lol, Tru Dat!~PHS